I don't think they are "looking for food" I think they are looking for a way out.

I feed them with all the hides and everything in there. My pastel won't even strike if she isn't in her hide.

You can take all the stuff out but I don't see what you gain by doing so. There is no such thing as "cage aggression". If you open up the tank once a week other than feeding, than no association with "opening tank=food". If anything, you are more likely to get bit by messing with all the stuff in the tank with a hungry snake hanging out in there.

This is just my opinion though My snakes know when it is feeding time. They can smell the rats and it has been exactly a week since they were last fed. They don't need you to try and make associations for them.